NFL

Dom Capers joins Jaguars as defensive assistant

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Dom Capers, a veteran of 31 seasons as an NFL coach including two as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator, has joined Jacksonville’s coaching staff as senior defensive assistant. Under Head Coach Doug Marrone, he will work closely with Defensive Coordinator Todd Wash and the team’s defensive coaches.

Capers previously served as Jaguars defensive coordinator from 1999-2000 under then-Head Coach and current Executive Vice President of Football OperationsTom Coughlin. In 1999, the Jaguars were 14-2 – their best record ever – and won the AFC Central Division before hosting the AFC Championship game. Capers has been the head coach of two NFL expansion teams – the Carolina Panthers from 1995-98 and the Houston Texans from 2002-05. Most recently, he was the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers from 2009-17.

“Dom Capers is one of the most respected defensive coaches in the game today, and he has been for many years,” Marrone said. “His defenses have long been among the most effective and productive in the NFL. He has career experiences and accomplishments that will benefit our coaches and our players. He adds a unique perspective and veteran presence that will be valuable assets to immediately help us. I look forward to working with Dom and having him on our staff.”

Capers’ NFL coaching career includes 17 seasons as a defensive coordinator. His first coordinator role came in 1992 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where the defense ranked in the top three twice and the Steelers advanced to the playoffs all three seasons. He was defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins from 2006-07 and the Packers from 2009-17. The Packers went to the playoffs in each of Capers’ first eight seasons there, and they won Super Bowl XLV following the 2010 season.

Capers’ coaching career began with 12 seasons at the collegiate level from 1972-83. His stops included Kent State, Hawaii, San Jose State, California, Tennessee and Ohio State. He spent two seasons with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars of the USFL before entering the NFL coaching ranks in 1986 with the New Orleans Saints.

Among the head coaches Capers has served under are Jim Mora Sr., Bill Cowher, Coughlin, Nick Saban and Mike McCarthy. He also spent one season as special assistant-secondary under Bill Belichick with the New England Patriots. Capers has been recognized as coach of the year (Panthers), assistant coach of the year (Steelers, Jaguars) and coordinator of the year (Packers).

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Josh Lambo re-signs with Jaguars

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The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed K Josh Lambo to a contract extension, the club announced today. Lambo was set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET.

“I’m not quite sure it has set in yet. This whole NFL journey has been a little wild and very unexpected,” Lambo said. “Now that I’ve gotten to the point where I can sign an extension with this club, it’s really special, and it’s a great day for myself and [my wife] Megan and our dogs and our whole family.”

Lambo, 28, has appeared in 55 career games, including 23 games for the Jaguars, since being signed as an undrafted rookie by the then-San Diego Chargers on May 12, 2015. Following a 32-game stint with the Chargers, Lambo signed with Jacksonville on Oct. 17, 2017. Lambo set Jacksonville’s franchise record for consecutive made field goals, converting 24 straight from Nov. 19, 2017 to Nov. 11, 2018.

Since joining the Jaguars, Lambo has made 38 of 41 field goals, and his 92.7 pct. field goal conversion rate is the highest in franchise history among players with at least 10 field goal attempts. In 2018, Lambo made 19 of 21 field goals (90.5 pct.), becoming the first player in franchise history to post back-to-back seasons with a field goal rate of at least 90.0 pct.

HOF Roaf on Super Bowl 53: ‘I think we gotta put an asterisk next to that one’

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For some, Super Bowl 53 was not very exciting, in fact, some people were bored by what they watched in Atlanta. In a game that saw the Rams have more punts(9) than points, the Patriots would defeat Los Angeles 13-3 in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in NFL history.

While all eyes were on the big game in Atlanta, many fans in New Orleans refused to watch because they felt jobbed by the NFL after a missed pass interference call late in the NFC title game against the Rams, and according to nola.com, last year’s Super Bowl earned a rating of 53 in New Orleans, while Super Bowl 53 earned a 26.2 rating in the “Big Easy,” which is a clear indication that Saints fans were not interested in watching.

Hall of Famer Willie Roaf, who started his career with the Saints and played nine seasons in New Orleans, thinks the Saints not playing in Super Bowl 53 took away from the game.

“I think it lost its luster,” Roaf told Paul Gant and the Go4it podcast. “I think a lot of people feel the way I feel that they don’t count it as a Super Bowl because the Saints should have been there, and the way that game was played, even made that more apparent they(Rams) shouldn’t have been there. The Rams had a great year; they stepped it up in the playoffs, but a lot of people feel the same way I feel. They’re really not thinking of counting that(Super Bowl), especially in New Orleans. You go anywhere in New Orleans, and they are not counting that as the Super Bowl. They’re not; they think the Saints got screwed out of it.”

Because the Saints were not there, Roaf believes that people should put an asterisk next to the Patriots’ victory in Super Bowl 53.

“I think we gotta put an asterisk next to that one,” Roaf added. “That’s six, but the way they won that, I think there is an asterisk next to that Super Bowl.”

Missed calls happen in the NFL, but we still have to give the Patriots their proper respect for winning Super Bowl 53. Maybe the Saints beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl, but no matter how anyone feels, the Patriots are the world champs, and there is nothing we can do about it.

Listen to the interview below with Roaf at 16:50 as he talks Super Bowl 53:

 

2019 NFL Draft First-Round Order

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Following is the 2019 NFL Draft first round order. The first round will start on Thursday, April 25 in Nashville, Tennessee with the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26 followed by rounds four through seven on Saturday, April 27.

2019 FIRST ROUND DRAFT ORDER​

 

#

 Team Win Loss Tie Winning Percentage Opp Win Opp Loss Opp Tie Strength of Schedule
1. Arizona Cardinals 3 13 0 .188 134 120 2 .527
                   
2. San Francisco 49ers 4 12 0 .250 128 126 2 .504
3. New York Jets 4 12 0 .250 128 125 3 .506
4. Oakland Raiders 4 12 0 .250 139 115 2 .547
                   
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5 11 0 .313 133 121 2 .523
6. New York Giants 5 11 0 .313 135 121 0 .527
7. Jacksonville Jaguars 5 11 0 .313 140 115 1 .549
                   
8. Detroit Lions 6 10 0 .375 127 125 4 .504
9. Buffalo Bills 6 10 0 .375 133 121 2 .523
10. Denver Broncos 6 10 0 .375 133 121 2 .523
11. Cincinnati Bengals 6 10 0 .375 135 117 4 .535
                   
12. Green Bay Packers 6 9 1 .406 124 130 2 .488
                   
13. Miami Dolphins 7 9 0 .438 119 135 2 .469
14. Atlanta Falcons 7 9 0 .438 122 131 3 .482
15. Washington Redskins 7 9 0 .438 124 131 1 .486
16. Carolina Panthers 7 9 0 .438 129 125 2 .508
   
17. Cleveland Browns 7 8 1 .469 131 123 2 .516
                   
18. Minnesota Vikings 8 7 1 .531 128 126 2 .504
                   
19. Tennessee Titans 9 7 0 .563 133 123 0 .520
                   
20. Pittsburgh Steelers 9 6 1 .594 128 126 2 .504
                   
21. Seattle Seahawks 10 6 0 .625 123 131 2 .484
22. Baltimore Ravens 10 6 0 .625 125 127 4 .496
                   
23. Houston Texans 11 5 0 .688 120 135 1 .471
                   
24. Chicago Bears

(traded to Oakland)

 12 4 0 .750 108 144 4 .430
                   
25. Philadelphia Eagles 9 7 0 .563 132 123 1 .518
                   
26. Indianapolis Colts 10 6 0 .625 119 137 0 .465
27. Dallas Cowboys

(traded to Oakland)

 10 6 0 .625 125 131 0 .488
                   
28. Los Angeles Chargers 12 4 0 .750 121 133 2 .477
                   
29. Kansas City Chiefs 12 4 0 .750 122 132 2 .480
                   
30. New Orleans Saints

(traded to Green Bay)

 13 3 0 .813 122 131 3 .482
                   
31. Los Angeles Rams 13 3 0 .813 122 132 2 .480
                   
32. New England Patriots 11 5 0 .688 122 131 3 .482

Patriots win Super Bowl 53; Julian Edelman named SB MVP

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It was not the prettiest of games, but in the end, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady get number six. The Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3 to win Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta on Sunday night. With the victory, the Patriots(6) tie the Steelers for the most Super Bowl victories in NFL history.

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was voted the winner of the Pete Rozelle Trophy, awarded to the Super Bowl LIII Most Valuable Player.

Edelman had 10 receptions for 141 yards and added an eight-yard rush. He is the seventh wide receiver to be named Super Bowl MVP and the first since Pittsburgh wide receiver SANTONIO HOLMES in Super Bowl XLIII.

Edelman has at least five receptions in 13 consecutive postseason games, the longest streak in playoff history. His 115 career postseason receptions rank second in NFL history. Pro Football Hall of Famer JERRY RICE, who had 151 career catches in the playoffs, ranks first all-time.

The wide receivers to win Super Bowl MVP:

PLAYER

TEAM

SUPER BOWL

Lynn Swann

Pittsburgh

X

Fred Biletnikoff

Oakland

XI

Jerry Rice

San Francisco

XXIII

Deion Branch

New England

XXXIX

Hines Ward

Pittsburgh

XL

Santonio Holmes

Pittsburgh

XLIII

Julian Edelman

New England

LIII

*Desmond Howard was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXI as a return specialist

 

Chris Long wins 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

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Philadelphia Eagles defensive end CHRIS LONG was named the 2018 WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY NATIONWIDE, the NFL announced today. Considered one of the league’s most prestigious honors, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field, as well as excellence on the field. First established in 1970, the national award was renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back WALTER PAYTON. The announcement was made during NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special held at Fox Theatre in Atlanta that will air nationally at 9 PM (ET and PT) on CBS tonight.

New this year, prior to kickoff of Super Bowl LIII, all 32 Man of the Year finalists will be recognized on-field, as a testament to each of their contributions to the game and to their communities. The Man of the Year Finalist Pregame Moment will culminate with the introduction of Long as the 2018 award recipient.

“Chris Long continues to amaze and inspire us with his generous spirit and tireless commitment to many communities and cities,” said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. “He is a role model for us all, as he exemplifies the legacy of service and leadership that this recognition represents. We congratulate him on this well-deserved award.”

“Long’s dedication to making a difference in his community is a shining example of the positive impact one person can make in the lives of others.” said Nationwide Chief Marketing Officer TERRANCE WILLIAMS. “Nationwide congratulates Long on being named this year’s Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year and thanks all the nominees for their service.”

This is the second time Long has been named his team’s Man of the Year. In 2015, after being named the St. Louis Rams’ Man of the Year, Long established The Chris Long Foundation. The mission of The Chris Long Foundation is to engage and create programs focused around four main philanthropic causes: clean water, military appreciation, homelessness and youth.

Notably, Long also celebrated his 10th season playing in the NFL by donating his entire year’s salary, roughly $1 million, to support educational initiatives in the cities in which he has played, St. Louis, Boston and Philadelphia. This groundbreaking donation was not in isolation, however, as Long used the occasion to encourage his fans to join him in the effort—raising an additional $750,000 through that outreach, which was donated to Summer Search in Boston and Philadelphia, as well as College Bound and Little Bit in St. Louis.

In 2018, Long continued more than a decade of community service by creating his First Quarter for Literacy program and donating 100% of his first four game checks to fund the program. First Quarter for Literacy provides under-served Philadelphia families, and families nationwide, with free books, literacy resources and mentoring services.

Earlier in 2018, Long conquered Mt. Kilimanjaro for the third time alongside 11 current and former NFL players and U.S. military veterans as part of his Conquering Kili initiative. The initiative brings together a class of combat veterans, giving them the opportunity to continue serving others by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money to build clean water wells for East Africa. Additionally, as a founding member of the Players’ Coalition Task Force, Long has taken his solution-focused efforts and used his platform to elevate the voice of others., Long has taken a hands-on, leadership role in the Players’ Coalition’s efforts to reform the bail system in Philadelphia and beyond, working specifically on educational equality, police and community relations and criminal justice reform.

Long will receive $500,000, half of which will go to a charity of his choice and half of which will support the expansion of Character Playbook across the country. Character Playbook is the NFL and United Way’s digital education program. All other 31 nominees will receive a donation of $50,000 in their name to expand Character Playbook, and an additional donation of up to $50,000 to their charity of choice. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation, Nationwide and United Way Worldwide.

Gonzalez, Reed, Bailey, headline 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

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The new class of Enshrinees was just announced on stage at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special that will air nationally tonight at 9 p.m. (ET and PT) on CBS. The newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame include cornerback CHAMP BAILEY, contributor PAT BOWLEN, contributor GIL BRANDT, tight end TONY GONZALEZ, cornerback TY LAW, center KEVIN MAWAE, safety ED REED, and safety JOHNNY ROBINSON.

Today’s annual selection meeting capped a year-round selection process. The newly elected Hall of Famers were chosen from a list o​f 18 finalists who had been determined earlier by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee. Representatives of the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche tabulated all votes during Saturday’s meeting.

The Class of 2019 will be officially enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the spectacular Enshrinement Ceremony held inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. The Enshrinement Ceremony is the main event of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls.

PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2019

CHAMP BAILEY
Cornerback … 6-0, 192 … Georgia … 1999-2003 Washington Redskins, 2004-2013 Denver Broncos

15 seasons, 215 games … Washington’s first round draft pick (7th overall) in 1999 NFL Draft … Helped Redskins to 10-6 record and division title as rookie … Recorded five interceptions in rookie season including three in one game (vs. Cardinals, Oct. 17, 1999) … Traded to Broncos in 2004 … Key member of secondary that led Denver to five postseason appearances and four division titles including three straight to cap his career … Started at left cornerback in two AFC championship games and Super Bowl XLVIII … Returned interception 100 yards in Broncos victory over Patriots in 2005 AFC Divisional Playoff Game … Tied for NFL lead with career-high 10 interceptions returned for 162 yards and 1 TD, 2006 … Racked up 18 interceptions over two-season span (2005-06) which was most in NFL in more than two decades … Exceptional in pass coverage, rarely flagged for pass interference … Led Redskins in interceptions once, punt returns once … Broncos leading interceptor five seasons … Amassed 52 career interceptions returned for 464 yards and 4 TDs … Recorded 203 passes defensed … Chosen First-Team All-Pro four times, Second-Team All-Pro four times … Named All-NFC twice, All-AFC three times … Voted to 12 Pro Bowls … Selected to NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Born June 22, 1978 in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

PAT BOWLEN 
Owner … Oklahoma … 1984-Present Denver Broncos 
Bowlen shaped the Broncos into one of the most storied franchises in NFL history during his 35 years as owner … Engrained winning culture into organization with immediate results … Broncos posted 13-3 record to win AFC West in Bowlen’s first season, 1984 … Sustained and unprecedented success over past three decades has resulted in more than 350 victories, seven Super Bowl appearances and regular-season winning percentage of .603 (1984-2017) … With Bowlen at helm, Broncos have advanced to playoffs 18 times, won 13 division crowns, seven AFC conference championships and three Super Bowl titles (XXXII, XXXIII and 50) … Under his leadership, the Broncos are only NFL team to post 90 or more victories in each of the past three decades … Broncos victory total since Bowlen took over as owner is second most in NFL …  Led effort for state-of-the-art Broncos Stadium at Mile High that opened in 2001 …. Member of numerous NFL committees over career including co-chair of NFL Management Council Executive Committee … Key figure to securing NFL’s labor and TV contracts …  As Chair of NFL Broadcast Committee was responsible for negotiations of $18 billion TV contract, the most lucrative in single-sport history … Named to Broncos Ring of Fame, 2015 … Born Feb. 18, 1944 in Praire du Chien, Wisconsin.

GIL BRANDT
Contributor … Wisconsin … 1960-1988 Dallas Cowboys, 1995-present National Football League

Historic half-century career in pro football … As vice president of personnel for the Cowboys, helped build one of most dominant franchises in all of sports … Integral talent scout for Cowboys and member of team’s brain trust along with Hall of Famers Tex Schramm and Tom Landry since inception in 1960 through 1988 … Developed innovative scouting and management of personnel systems … Many innovations are standard process for NFL teams today … Early user of computer analysis to evaluate players … Discovered number of free agents such as wide receiver Drew Pearson and defensive backs Cliff Harris and Everson Walls … Responsible for building rosters that led Cowboys to winning records in 20 consecutive seasons (1966-1985) … Cowboys registered 10 or more wins in a season 16 times during period … Helped Dallas to 13 division titles, six conference championships and two Super Bowl victories (VI and XII) … Joined NFL.com at its inception in 1995 and has been key contributor ever since … Regarded as top draft expert … Serves as resident historian for NFL.com and has provided countless number of columns about league’s significant events and players … A regular radio personality on SiriusXM NFL Radio … Born March 4, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.​

TONY GONZALEZ
Tight End … 6-5, 250 … California … 1997-2008 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009-2013 Atlanta Falcons

17 seasons, 270 games … First-round pick (13th player overall) by Chiefs in 1997 … Named Chiefs’ rookie of the year after recording 33 catches for 368 yards and 2 TDs, 1997 … Recorded more than 50 receptions in a season in each of his last 16 years (second most all-time) including 14 seasons with 70 or more catches … Led NFL in receiving with career-best 102 receptions, 2004 … Led Chiefs in receiving eight times … Traded to Atlanta in 2009 … Led Falcons in receiving, 2012… Set Chiefs record with 26 games with 100 or more receiving yards; added five more 100-yard efforts with Falcons … Ranks behind only Jerry Rice in career receptions … Career statistics: 1,325 receptions for 15,127 yards, 111 TDs … Streak of 211 straight games with a catch, 2000-2013 (longest ever by tight end, second longest in NFL history at time of retirement) … Career-long 73-yard TD catch vs. division rival Raiders, Nov. 28, 1999 …Team leader that helped Chiefs and Falcons to two division titles each … Started at tight end for Falcons in 2012 NFC Championship Game, had 8 catches for 78 yards and 1 TD … Named First-Team All-Pro seven times (1999-2003, 2008, 2012) … Voted to 14 Pro Bowls … Named Team MVP by Chiefs (2008) and Falcons (2009) … Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of 2000s … Born Feb. 27, 1976 in Torrance, California.

TY LAW
Cornerback … 5-11, 200 … Michigan … 1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos

15 seasons, 203 games … Selected by Patriots in 1st round (23rd player overall) of 1995 NFL Draft … Named All-Pro in 1998 and 2003 … Voted to five Pro Bowls (1999, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006) … Starting left cornerback in four AFC championship games … Started at left cornerback in three Super Bowls including Patriots victories in Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII … Recorded seven tackles, one assisted tackle, two passes defensed and scored on 47-yard interception return for touchdown in New England’s 20-17 win over Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI … Intercepted three or more passes in a season nine times … Led NFL in interceptions twice (9 in 1998 with Patriots and career-high 10 in 2005 with Jets) … Team’s leading interceptor six times (Patriots – 4, Chiefs – 1, Jets – 1) … Registered 53 career interceptions for 828 yards and 7 pick-sixes … Career-long 74-yard interception return for touchdown against New England (Dec. 26, 2005)… Recorded 37-yard interception return in final game of career … Five career sacks … Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Born Feb. 10, 1974 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

KEVIN MAWAE
Center … 6-4, 289 … Louisiana State … 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans

16 seasons, 241 games … Selected by Seahawks in 2nd round (36th player overall) in 1994 NFL Draft … Spent majority of college career as tackle before moving to center during senior year … Played in 14 games, and started 11 games during rookie season with Seahawks … Named to NFL’s  All-Rookie Team … Played at right guard first two pro seasons, moved permanently to center, 1996 … Noted for leadership and steady play … Helped Jets to division title and championship game appearance in first season in New York, 1998 … Anchored steady Jets offensive line that led way for 44 100-yard games and seven 1,000-yard seasons by Hall of Fame running back Curtis Martin … Blocked for 1,000-yard rusher in 13 of his 16 seasons and five different running backs (Chris Warren, 2; Martin, 7; Travis Henry, 1; LenDale White, 1; and Chris Johnson, 2) … Capped career with Pro Bowl season by paving way for 2,000-yard performance by Johnson … Named All-Pro six times (1999-2002, 2004, and 2008) … Voted to eight Pro Bowls including his final two seasons … Selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Born Jan. 23, 1971 in Savannah, Georgia.

ED REED
Safety… 5-11, 200 … Miami (Fla.) … 2002-2012 Baltimore Ravens, 2013 Houston Texans, 2013 New York Jets

12 seasons, 174 games … Selected by Ravens in first round (24th overall) in 2002 NFL Draft … Made instant impact on Baltimore’s dominant defense with 5 interceptions as rookie … NFL’s top interceptor in 2004, 2008, 2010 to become just second player in NFL history to lead NFL in interceptions three times … Led AFC in interceptions four times … Ravens leading interceptor seven seasons … NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, 2004 after picking off league-high 9 passes returned for then-NFL record 358 yards, 1 TD … Career statistics: 64 interceptions returned for NFL record 1,590 yards and 7 touchdowns …. Owns two longest interception returns in NFL history (107 yards vs. Eagles on Nov. 23, 2008; and 106 yards vs. Browns on Nov. 7, 2004) … Registered 140 career passes defensed … Also returned 30 punts for 205 yards … 3 touchdowns scored on fumble recoveries … Leader on Ravens team that advanced to playoffs seven times, won four division titles, and Super Bowl title … Started at free safety in three AFC championship games … Recorded 5 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass defensed in Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII win … Selected All-Pro six times … Voted to nine Pro Bowls … Member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s … Born Sept. 11, 1978 in St. Rose, Louisiana.

JOHNNY ROBINSON
Safety… 6-1, 205 … Louisiana State … 1960-1971 Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs

12 seasons, 164 games … Selected in first round of 1960 AFL Draft by Texans and 3rd overall in the 1960 NFL Draft by Detroit Lions … Utilized by Texans as running back first two seasons … Moved to defense in third season, responded with 4 interceptions …  Recorded multiple interceptions each season after moving to safety … Single-season best 10 interceptions in 1966 (led AFL) and 1970 (led NFL) … Lone career pick-six came on 29-yard interception return vs. Boston Patriots, Sept. 25, 1966 … Helped team to four division titles … Played in three AFL championship game victories … Started in two Super Bowls … Recorded two tackles, one fumble recovery and intercepted one pass for nine yards in Chiefs’ 23-7 win over Minnesota Vikings, Super Bowl IV … Named All-AFL five straight seasons (1965-69), All-Pro, 1969 and All-NFL, 1970 … Voted to AFL All-Star Game six times, Pro Bowl once … Named to AFL’s All-Time Team … Intercepted 57 career interceptions, returned for 741 yards and 1 TD …Also gained 658 rushing yards, 6 TDs; 77 catches for 1,228 yards, 9 TDs; 21 punt returns for 272 yards, 1 TD; and 3 kickoff returns for 54 yards … Scored one TD on fumble return (46 yards vs. Baltimore Colts on Monday Night Football, Sept. 28, 1970) … Born Sept. 9, 1938 in Delhi, Louisiana.

Watch!: Josh Norman believes the Redskins win Super Bowl 53 if Alex Smith was healthy

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The Redskins got off to a great start in 2018. After nine games, the Redskins were 6-3 and were on top of the NFC East, but injuries started to pile up, including a gruesome leg injury for their QB Alex Smith against the Texans in Week 11. They would lose that game and ultimately finish the season 7-9.

According to their star corner Josh Norman, if Smith stays healthy, the Skins win Super Bowl 53.

“We go to the Super Bowl… We in it and we win it,” Norman told TMZ Sports.

Norman explained why the Redskins get it done.

“Why would we not get past the Rams, why would not get past the Saints, why would we not have gotten past any of those teams,” Norman said. “Yeah, they would have beaten us earlier in the year, but guess what, we would have gotten better from it, we would have gotten stronger from it. We had a quarterback that don’t lose games for us, and we would have been fine.”

Well, Alex Smith is a good quarterback, but the Redskins were an average team in 2018, and mediocre teams don’t go to the Super Bowl. They might have been good enough to win the NFC East if Smith stayed healthy, but unfortunately, that is something we’ll never know.

Listen below:

Barkley captures Pepsi Rookie of the Year

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New York Giants running back SAQUON BARKLEY has been named the 2018 PEPSI NFL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, Pepsi and the NFL announced today. Barkley was recognized online at nfl.com/rookies and this morning during Pepsi’s Rookie Brunch Party in Atlanta, which featured a trophy presentation by ESPN’s Sam Ponder, a DJ set by Grammy-winner Lil Jon (who is also featured in Pepsi’s Super Bowl LIII commercial), and a performance by Pepsi’s Sound Drop artist Bryce Vine.

The No. 2 selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley led the NFL with 2,028 scrimmage yards and joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (2,212 scrimmage yards in 1983) and Edgerrin James (2,139 in 1999) as the only rookies with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards in NFL history. A 2019 Pro Bowl selection, he recorded 91 receptions in 2018, including a single-game franchise-record 14 catches in Week 2, tied for the most by a rookie running back in league annals. Barkley became the first Giants rookie to rush for at least 1,000 yards (1,307) and his 15 scrimmage touchdowns were the most by a rookie in team history.

Barkley was one of five finalists nominated for this honor. The other finalists were Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard, Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay and Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Willie Roaf: Chiefs can build a dynasty with Mahomes

Categories NFL

For the Kansas City Chiefs, the 2018 season did not end the way they expected. They had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, they had the highest scoring offense in football, and they had the best player in 2018 in QB Patrick Mahomes, but their defense could not hold up, and Tom Brady and the Patriots would defeat the Chiefs 37-31 in OT in the AFC title game.

While losing this game hurts for Kansas City, the Chiefs can be excited about the future. Mahomes has proven that he has the goods, WR Tyreek Hill is explosive, and Travis Kelce is an elite tight end. All this talent has Hall of Famer Willie Roaf, who played for the Chiefs from 2002-05, very excited about the future.

“They got Mahomes, who is a different quarterback than anybody,” Roaf recently said on the Go4it podcast. “The offense has a bunch of guys and the best tight end in the league…

“I will tell you this; the Chiefs will be back, a lot coming up in the future. If they add pieces to their defense and get more running backs… Mostly draft defense. The Chiefs will be knocking on the door, and with that young quarterback, Mahomes, they will be building some type of dynasty. So, this is this kid’s first year starting, and he is just now figuring things out, so when you put more weapons around him, and Sammy Watkins was out most of the year. And then, they lost (Kareem)Hunt going into the playoffs, and he(Mahomes) was still able to go up and down the field.

“So, you give me some more weapons, and you keep that young group intact… They got a chance to win a couple of rings with that young boy in Kansas City.”

Last week, the Chiefs fired defensive coordinator Bob Sutton and hired former Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo to lead their defense. Spagnuolo was in charge of the Giants’ defense that beat Tom Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

Chiefs fans should be excited about the future, but in the NFL, they’re no guarantees, so we’ll see if the Chiefs can improve their defense, and continue to build a great offense in 2019.

Listen below as Roaf talks the future of the Chiefs at the 07:10 mark: